Why do people want to go on holidays abroad this summer? (Not travel to family)

[WombatChocolate]

Given we have put in huge efforts to reduce the virus in this country over many months, I struggle why people (not the holiday industry) are so keen to whizz off for a couple of weeks of sun, when we know the virus is surging in parts of the world.

What is this about?

The only thing I can think of which makes any sense to me is that they have already booked, or had a booking carried forward from last year and fear losing the money. Somehow they would rather go than sacrifice the money and that has led to large numbers wanting to go.

We all know that mutants will come into the country through travel and it’s impossible to keep them out, so why do people want to go so much?

Is it that they just love a sunny holiday so much they don’t think about the possible consequences? Is it that they do t want to lose the money? Is it that they are jabbed and so don’t believe their travel can have any consequences? Is it that they don’t know about levels of virus around the world? Or is it that because the holiday industry wants to open up (very understandably) they have been influenced by them?

I really understand people who have family abroad, how difficult the travel issue is for them and I do understand why they want to go and often feel they must go. I’m not asking about that. It’s just the standard holiday I’m interested in, because I don’t really get it.

Anyone who has thoughts about it, or is keen to go and feels like saying why.....many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Why shouldn't people travel outside Europe for leisure?

I swear to God, as the Berlin wall came down, there would have been amateur brickies desperately mixing mortar.

I can cope without an overseas holiday, although I would like one. But I desperately need to get to France to see my friend of 40 years who is dying. I will never forgive myself if she dies and I wasnt there to say goodbye

@dementedma

I can cope without an overseas holiday, although I would like one. But I desperately need to get to France to see my friend of 40 years who is dying. I will never forgive myself if she dies and I wasnt there to say goodbye

So sorry to hear that I hope you can get there

@PicsInRed

I swear to God, as the Berlin wall came down, there would have been amateur brickies desperately mixing mortar.

They could have recruited an army of brickies from here.

I would love to be somewhere that is warm enough to eat out, with a warm sea. However, my DH had used much of his annual leave covering burst school bubbles, so our holiday will be instead visiting family not seen since last summer due to not being able to go from England to other parts of the UK.

Margaret Thatcher would be proud of how self centred almost everyone seems to be. Its all about me and what I "need".

@jgw1- I wasn’t born when Maggie was in power so can’t blame her for my selfish want of a holiday.. perhaps I should blame my Maggie hating parents 🤔

@dementedma

I can cope without an overseas holiday, although I would like one. But I desperately need to get to France to see my friend of 40 years who is dying. I will never forgive myself if she dies and I wasnt there to say goodbye

Compassionate emergency travel should be allowed (with quarantine if necessary). It always has been allowed. From the UK, at least. I don't know about France. If only genuinely essential travel (including compassionate reasons) was allowed, it would be possible to keep covid cases low through test, trace, and (where required) isolation

A pp said this will go on for years. Only if we keep doing things like holidays abroad before the majority are fully vaccinated. So yes, going off the attitudes on this thread, it will go on for years.

@jgw1

Margaret Thatcher would be proud of how self centred almost everyone seems to be. Its all about me and what I "need".

Quite. All these people who don't want to have fun and therefore must ban fun for everyone else to ensure they aren't missing out on the fun they've decided not to have themselves.

@jgw1

Margaret Thatcher would be proud of how self centred almost everyone seems to be. Its all about me and what I "need".

Depressing isn't it. It's all instant gratification with no care for the consequence to others - individuals and businesses.

PicsInRed because another lockdown in autumn/winter with lots of deaths, illness, and ruined UK businesses is so fun

It's lovely where I live but I wouldn't pay thousands to come here. It's really not cheap at all to do anything other than the beach. It's also likely to be hellishly busy.

We should be away right now on a holiday originally booked for last March and are planning to push it on to next year. I love my holidays more than anyone I know but there is no joy in restrictions, stressful journeys and the risk of rules changing. I'd rather just wait.

Meanwhile, pretty much everyone I know locally is letting every spare room they've got on Airbnb, including us. We've decided that gutting though it is for now, we are better off staying home and earning the money to have an amazing holiday when we can.

How joyless some of these posts are.

How does this proposed holiday tax work? Are you going to give relief for people who don't go to pubs/restaurants and spend their cash on holidays instead? Maybe a sliding scale?

We'll holiday overseas if we can, happy to test/quarantine as required.

The holiday tax could work just like the hotel tax paid in many European cities. Add on a bit extra to hotels and holiday accommodation and flights.

If you feel so strongly, you could start a fundraiser now? Doesn't need to be a tax, I am sure you'll find like minded people to support your idea.

@Tealightsandd

The holiday tax could work just like the hotel tax paid in many European cities. Add on a bit extra to hotels and holiday accommodation and flights.

If the tax is already being paid in these 'European cities' why should British people be taxed twice?

And what if the flights and accomodation are needed for 'essential' purposes? Does the 'tax' get waived then? And who gets to decide what is or is not an 'essential' reason for travel?

[quote HolmeH]@jgw1- I wasn’t born when Maggie was in power so can’t blame her for my selfish want of a holiday.. perhaps I should blame my Maggie hating parents 🤔[/quote]
Just goes to show how effective she was at getting her message across, that greed is good and its all about me.

@Tealightsandd

PicsInRed because another lockdown in autumn/winter with lots of deaths, illness, and ruined UK businesses is so fun

That isn't happening and businesses are ruined from lack of trade.

Just goes to show how effective she was at getting her message across, that greed is good and its all about me.

Yes, terrible that so many people prioritise their own sense of superiority and resentment at other people having fun over the ability of the thousands of people working in tourism to make a living.

How are you going to tax people who’ve saved for years for a week on the sun, will they get a tax relief? Perhaps the selfish people who can afford 2 weeks should donate 1 of their weeks ??

@PomLikeTheBattle

How are you going to tax people who’ve saved for years for a week on the sun, will they get a tax relief? Perhaps the selfish people who can afford 2 weeks should donate 1 of their weeks ??

There's a real hatred for travelling on MN. It's not logical or rational.

You couldn't pay me enough to deal with the hassle and stress of traveling during a pandemic. But I accept that everyone is different and that things that wouldn't in any way be "worth it" to me, will be a great pleasure to someone else.

@Tealightsandd

The holiday tax could work just like the hotel tax paid in many European cities. Add on a bit extra to hotels and holiday accommodation and flights.

Go for it! Sounds like you're looking for a cause. I'll be sunning myself.

Oh god, I'm just desperate for 10 days of sun and French food. I'm so sick of this all now...